Apparatus for supplying materials in any desired ratio of weights



Dec. 2a, 1926. 1,612,613

' J. G. COFFIN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYIN3 MATERIALS IN ANY DESIRED RATIO OF WEIGHTS Filed Dec. 20, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 avwentoz JOSEPH 6. CUFF/N Dec. 28, 1926.

. J. G. COFFIN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING MATERIALS IN ANY DESIRED RATIO OF WEIGHTS Filed Dec. 20, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 46' l-lll mm/Ton JOSEPH G. Cor-Fm Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

Uhll'l'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH GEORGE COFFIN, 0F HELIPS IEAD, HEW" Y'OEK, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL RUBBER COMPANY, OF NEW YURK, N. 1L.

CGRFEOEATION OF NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING MIATERIALS ANY DESIRED RATIO OF WEIGHTS.

Application filed December 20, 1923.

This invention relates more particularly to apparatus that will, when once suitably set, supply the materials in the desired ratio automatically as a continuous operation. In many manufacturing processes and elsewhere it is often necessary or desirable to mix materials together or to otherwise subject them to treatment in fixed proportions by weight to insure the required accuracy. Materials that are most conveniently handied in apparatus of the present type are liquids and comminuted materials that will flow through a pipe or other conduit with comparative treeness. It is often of value to supply such materials in proportions by weight rather than by volume, as this avoids many errors that would otherwise possibly appear such as errors on account of change in volume due to temperature changes.

In the present invention receptacles are provided for the various materials and these, or rather the weights of the materials contained therein, are relied upon for controlling the supply of the materials to maintain the desired weight ratio, whether the sup ly be from or to the receptacles. Among t principal objects of the present invention the devising of means whereby any reasonable number of materials may be supplied in the desired weight ratio and whereby the receptacles containing the materials that control the supply need not be in close proximity unless desired, but may be located at any convenient places within reasonable distances apart.

In the ca "or: out of the invention means are employed that are responsive to the weights of the materials in the receptacles to produce forces which act to effect the operation or the supply-controlling means. In the preferred embodiment these means comprise hermetically closed, elastic, frictionless, hydraulic devices which serve as power transmitters and which are very simple in construction and reliable in operation and form, as used in the present instance, further novel features of the invention.

Referringto the drawings forming part of this specification,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an appa ratus adapted to supply materials in any de- Serial No. 681,899.

sired ratio of weights from a plurality of receptacles containing the materials; and

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus similar in the main to Fig. l but showing means whereby the supply is to the r"- ceptacles instead of therefrom.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the apparatus is shown as comprising three receptacles 1, 2, and 8, which will suiiice for the purpose of describing the invention in. its connection with any reasonable number of receptacles whether two or more. The materials in these receptacles are represented at 4, 5, and 6, and may be either in liquid or comminuted :torm capable of flowing.

The apparatus of Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of my invention especially de vised for supplying materials from the receptacles in predetermined ratio of weights for any purpose whatsoever. To accomplish this, means for regulating the supply i rom the receptacles are provided,which, indirectly through the instrumentelity of various means, are responsive to the weights oi? the materials in the various receptacles. The various means briefly considered, are (1) supply-controlling neans, (2) means for operating the controlling means, means for operating the said means that operate the controlling means, and lastly, t) other means for operating the just previously men tioned means, these last means being directly operably responsive to the weights of the materials in the receptacles.

While the sapply-controlling means, which is the n of the four abovementioned means, may include a control for each of the receptacles ii desired, as will be obvious from an understanding of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 later to be described, in the present embodiment an auton'iatic controlis provided tor each of the receptacles with one exception for reasons that will presently appear. The controls in the preferred embodiment comprise piping 7 and a powerdriven valve 8 of any preferred or well known type which may be operated to either increase or diminish the supply of the material from the receptacle. The means for operating the controls, which are the second of the ab ve-mentioned means, are shown as comprising electric motors 9 which are operably connected to the respective valves by means of the sproclret-wheel-and-chain connections 10, the motor being suitably geared to impart the required motion to the valve in the usual manner, and pairs of electric circuits of opposite polarity for driving the motors in opposite directions to increase or diminish the flow as will later more fully appear. These electrically operating means for the controls are operated (or more strictly the respective circuits are closed to permit them to operate) by other means, which are the third above-mentioned means, and which constitutes the novel features of my invention that makes it feasible to include any reasonable number of receptacles (materials) in the system which may be separated one from another if desired to place them at various distances apart within reasonable limits. These operating means comprise devices adapted to produce forces which act to ultimately control the valves 8, and while various means may be employed, within the scope of the present invention, whereby the effect of these forces may be utilized to operate the controls, this is accomplished in the present instance by the electrical means as above mentioned and the operating effect of the forces is to close the circuits of the electrical means as will later more fully appear.

Each device for closing the circuits comprises an impelling means and an impellable means impelled by the impelling means to produce the force referred to. The impelling; means of the preferred device comprises a closed chamber 11 having an impelling end wall 12, a wall 13 opposite thereto, and freely collapsible side walls 14 of bellows formation. The impellable means comprise one or more closed, coiled, tubular chambers 15, each having an impellable end wall 16 adapted to be impelled by the impelling wall 12 to produce the force referred to, the

chambers 11 and 15 being connected by piping 17. The entire system comprising the chambers and piping is made of a suitable material such as steel or copper and constitutes a container which is filled with a liquid such as alcohol or oil, and is hermetically closed, thereby providing a frictionless, hydraulic device, which is very simple in construction and reliable in operation. And while the invention is not limited to the employment of a device or of devices of this type, and while it is possible that the device may be en'iployed in conjunction with devices of various other types, provided the before mentioned forces are produced, nevertheless a device of this general character is preferable as there is little possibility'of any leakage of the power-transmiting liquid thereby obviating the necessity for careful inspection and replenishing of the liquid to maintain the system operative as would be the case if the device comprised pistons or other similar members with the attendant glands or similar packing.

A device is provided for each of the receptacles and means, which are the fourth means above referred to, are provided for operating the devices, which may be any convenient means that respond to the weights of the materials. In the present instance ordinary platform scales 18 are employed upon which the receptacles are supported. The chamber 11 of each device is slidably secured between the beam arm 19 of the scale and a fixed support 20 spaced therefrom. in a manner whereby an end as the end 13 will abut against the support 20 and the opposite end 12 will engage the arm 19, the chamber being slidable along the arm to permit it to be placed and secured in any desired manner at any distance from the fulcrum of the beam arm. While the end 12 has been for convenience designated the impelling' wall it is obvious that it is the relative movement between the ends 12 and 13 permi ted by the bellows-like side wall let that produces the pressure in the liquid within the closed container that is responsible for the movement of the impellable wall or walls 16 to produce the force. The device is operated by the weight of the material in the receptacle on the scale platform which forces the arm 19 upwardly to produce a pressure on the chamber 11 which will vary as the weight of the material in the receptacle varies and as the position of the chamber relative to the fulcrum of the scale varies, the pressure being less as the weight of the material in the receptacle diminishes and as the chamber is moved further from the fulcrum. The weight of the receptacle is preferably counterbalanced by the scale weights so that it may be disregarded.

An impellable wall of one device is operably secured with an impellable wall of an other device to an arm. 21. The walls are secured in a manner to permit the forces pro duced to oppose each other whereby they will act to move the arm in opposite directions to close the respective circuits, the direction the arm will move in any instance being dependent upon the greater of the two forces produced, the arm remaining; in a neutral position when the forces are equal and thereby balanced.

It will be noted that the device of receptacle 2 is provided with two coils whereby the force produced is distributed to act with the forces produced by the devices of receptacles 1 and 3. lVhere a fourth receptacle is included in the apparatus the device of receptacle 2 may include another or third coil for distributing the force thereby produced to enable it to act witb'the force proby conno inc; one with the other in a similar manner as receptacle is connected with receptacles 1 and 3. It will thus h areal; responsive to the weight receptacle may he that a de e that is of the mate; al of a s adapted to produce a plurality of "1""l'CCS. or what is the same thing a. force distrn'iuted to or acting at a plura ity of places for action with the torces out p urali of devices. And it is within the scope of the invention to equip a scale with two or more separate devices that will as a matter of fact produce a plurality of independent forces strictly speaking}; for a. with the forces produced by the weights of a plurality of mater-i a. And when reference is made elsewhere in the specification or claims reg-art] thr .re a single mafeature of the invention wl" terial in a receptacle may control aplurality of forces-ora force distributed at a plurality of places-for acting with the forces of a plurality of devices or similar such terms 2lS-)ll11'2llity of fore -anda tot'ce distrihn at a plural t of places-cute intended to mean the some thin or to he equivalents.

The or": 21 which is operated hy the to operating forces serves as a contact malcr in closing and openin i; the respective circuits that o J ate the motor 9. The circuits that control the various motors are shown identical in all respects and therefore a description of one will su'tiice. hen, for ample, the force produced by the receptacle 1 is greater than the force produced by re ceptacle 2 the arm 21 will close a circuit to the motor permitting the electric current to flow through the arm 21, conductor connec ed thereto, supply wire connectcc to conductor 22 return supply wire 24;, conductor 25 connected to supply wire 2% at one end and to the motor 9 at the other, and return conductor 26 connected to the motor at one end and t the terminal 27 with whicl the arm 21 has madecontact. When the force produced by the device of receptacle 2 predominates the arm 21 will move in the opposite direction and a circuit will be closed conveying current through the arm 21, conductor 22 Wires 23, 24, conductor 25 to the motor, and return conductor 28 connected to the terminal 29 with which the arm 21 has made contact. These two circuits before mentioned drive the motor in opposite directions hereby regulating the control. valve 8 in the first instance to increase the flow and in the second instance to diminish it for reasons that will presently he more fully understood.

One of the receptacles as the receptacle 2 is not provided with a power-controlled valve but is only provided with an outlet pipe 30 having a valve 31 for controlling the flow from the receptacle. The outlet pipes of the other receptacles are also for con'\-'enief.ice provided with hand-control valves 32 and each of the receptacles is provided with a feed pipe 33.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows The receptacles comprised in the apparatus, in the present instance the receptacles 1, 2, and 3. are supplied with the desired material, through their respective feed pipes 33 or oth rwise, in the same weight ratio as it is desired to maintain in the supply of materials coming therefrom. When the materials have been supplied to the receptacles in this ratio to the desired amounts. the chambers 11 are placed in positions along the arms 19 where the pressures upon the impelling walls 12, responsive to the weights of the materials in the respective receptacles. produce equal forces at the impellabl-e ends 16 thereby setting the arms 21 at neutral positions.

During the filling of the receptacle the valve 31 is closed. Chis automatically closes the control. valves 8 which remain closed until the valve 3 is again opened. The va ves 32 are not necessary except in cinorgene-y and therefore should he kept open. ll hen the rece 'itaclei have received their proportionate weic'h js of materials the valve 31 is opened to the desired et nent. Presui'in ing for the moment that the controls 8 are also open to the proper degree the materials will be supplied from the receptacles in the desired. weight ratio, and as long as this is maintained the arms 21 will stand at the. neut al positions. Should. hor-Jevcr. this ratio be disturbed as by the supply from one of the receptacles. as for instance from the receptacle 1 or 3, becoming too great or too little the force created therehy at its inuiellahle wal 16 will he rcatively de creased, or increased. This woiiild destroy the hahnce of the forces acting: upon the respective arm with the l result tout the predominating force would move the arm 21 to close a circuit. ()no or the other of the two circuits to the motor "will he thus closed. in the first case to further close the valve 8 and in the second to further open it. This ccndition will continue until the other rcceptacles have had an ooportunity to supply their p] 01')01ti01" of materials. or until the part cular receptacle under consideration has an opportunity to supply its proportionate amount. of the h at material, as the case may be. l/Vhen this correction has taken place the relative amounts of the materials in the receptacles will have been reestablished in the desired weight ratio the forces produced will have become again balanced, and the system once more will proceed to supply the materials in the desired weight ratio. If the supposition had been that the receptacle 2 had supplied the material too rapidly or too slowly the just-mentioned description would apply in the main with the exception that the supply from both the receptacles 1 and 3 would be relatively increased or diminished until the ratio was reestablished. This automatic adjustment to maintain the supply ratio will continue as long as there is material in the receptacles. In the above description it has been presumed that the initial operation of the apparatus was in the desired weight ratio, it is obvious however that when the valve 31 is first opened there will be a. momentary unbalancing of the system which will instantly result in opening the valves 8 and a restoration of the balance. When the receptacles are emptied or nearly so the valve 31 may be again closed and the receptacles refilled. The chambers 11 having been 'once set in proper positions for any desired ratio supply require no adjustment during the refilling operations.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing that one of the receptacles as for instance the receptacle 2 requires no automaticallycontrolled valve but may serve as the master receptable so to speak and may be controlled by hand at pleasure, for as the valve 31 is opened which is at all times at the will of th operator the automatic valves 8 will instantly respond in like manner and will supply their proportionate amounts of material. If the valve 31 is partially closed the valves 8 will automatically operate accordingly to decrease their supply in the proper ratio. Furthermore as before stated, by closing the valve 31 the valves 8 are antomatically closed, thereby obviating the necessity of operating the valves 32, and in refilling the receptacles all that is necessary is to close the valve 31, preferably before any of the receptacles are completely emptied whereupon the valves 8 will automatically close permitting the receptacles to he refilled with their proportionate amounts.

T he apparatus is devised to supply liquid, ymwders, comminuted materials, materials that consume small volume in unit form, and in general materials that will flow from the receptacles in a substantially uniform and reliable manner, but as the master re ceptacle is under the control of the operator this may contain material in any desired form for it may be removed from the receptacle by the operator in any desired manner for at each change in weight of the material in the receptacle the balance of forces will be thrown out whereupon the other receptacles will supply their quotas of material to maintain the desired supply ratio. And as a matter of fact the device at this station may be controlled by other suitable means and the receptacle of this device may accordingly be dispensed with. Also while the operation has been described more specifically as to a system comprising three receptacles it will be understood that the description is intended to be general and is to apply to any greater number of receptacles as well as to only two receptacles in which latter instance the receptacle 3 and its attendant mechanism would be entirely disregarded, the device of the receptacle 2 in such instance having but the single coil which cooperates with the coil of the receptacle 1.

In Fig. 2 is shown an embodiment of the invention for supplying the receptacles with material in a predetermined weight ratio instead of taking the supply from the receptacles in a predetermined weight ratio as has been described regarding Fig. 1. On account of the close similarity between the apparatus of Fig. 2 and Fig. 1 the similar parts in Fig. 2 are designated by the same numerals with an accent added, but otherwise no detailed description is deemed necessary. The only essential differences in the two apparatus are that during the supplying of the materials to the receptacles in Fig. 2 the outlet pipes are closed and that the control valves are in the supply pipes to the receptacles instead of being in the outlet pipes as in Fig. 1. While these are the only essential changes to adapt the apparatus of Fig. 1 to operate as an apparatus for sup- 7 plying materials to the receptacles in the desired weight ratio instead of taking the supply from the receptacle in the desired weight ratio, Fig. 2, however, shows a slightly modified type of apparatus. In this modified construction each pipe has a control valve and this construction may be utilized in the apparatus for taking the materials from the receptacles as in Fig. 1 if desired, as may also the construction of Fig. 1 be substituted for that of Fig. 2 in supplying the material to the receptacles. Also it will be obvious that the systems of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 may be combined in various ways in the same apparatus.

In Fig. 2 the receptacles, scales, and devices are substantially the same as in the apparatus of Fig. 1 and therefore require no further description and like the apparatus of Fig. 1 the apparatus of Fig. 2 may comprise two or more receptacles as desired, three receptacles for the purpose of illustration being shown. Each receptacle is provided with piping 3st to supply material therefrom provided with a valve 35 the piping being shown as emptying into a mixing tank 36 which forms no part of the invention, but simply illustrates one use the apparatus may be put to, for after the receptacles have received their proportionate weights of the desired materials they may be emptied into the mixing receptacle S6 and mixed in the desired ratio. Each of the receptacles is provided with a supply-controlling means comprising piping 37 and a control valve 38. Motors 39 for operating the valves are diagrammatically shown which may be of any welldniown construction, except that the motor here shown is intended to operate the valve to increase the floW to the receptacle. Supply tanks l0 in communication with the piping 37 are provided for each of the receptacles and contain supplies of the respective materials which may be drawn from when the apparatus is in operation.

In the apparatus of Fig. 2 each of the units is provided with an automatically-controlled valve 38 as already stated. Each of these requires separate controlling means comprising a motor 39 and an electric C11 cuit for conducting the current thereto. The construction shown in Fig. 2 differs from that of Fig. 1, however, in that in Fig. 2 each motor is provided with only a single circuit instead of two circuits as in Fig. 1, a circuit being closed to further open a valve to admit more material as will presently appear. Each of the arms 21 operate to close a pair of circuits and as these pairs of circuits are similar a description of one pair will suliice. The circuit conveying current for operating the motor of receptacle 1 comprises arm 21, terminal 29, conductor 41 connecting the terminal with the motor, conductor 42 from the motor, supply wire 24, return supply wire 23, and conductor 43. The circuit of the pair under consideration which carries the current to the motor of the receptacle 2 comprises the arm 21, the terminal 27, the conductor 4. L leading therefrom to the motor, conductor 41-5 leading from the n'iotor, supply wire 24', return sup ply wire 23, and conductor 4-3. The other pair of circuits to the right of Fig. 2 are similar to those already described and need no further description except to note that one of the circuits controls the motor of receptacle 3 and the other circuit controls the motor of receptacle 2. It will thus be noted that the motor of receptacle 2 may be under the control of one of the circuits of either of the pairs.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows :The valves 35 are closed with small amounts of materials in the respective receptacles in the same weight ratio as it is desired to maintain in the supply of materials thereto. The chambers 11 are then set on the scale arm 19 in position suitable to establish an equilibrium of forces at the arms After the chambers 11 have been once suitably set for the desired supply ratio the receptacles may be refilled repeatedly without further adjustment of these chambers. The materials are now permitted to flow to the respective receptacles. This may be accomplished by opening a hand-operated valve 46 provided in each of the pipes. The supply of materials will then begin to flow and should the ratio be not maintained, as when one of the materials flows too freely or too slowly the balance in the forces will cease, whereupon the apparatus will operate much in the manner as the apparatus of Fig. 1 already described to restore the balance. I

As an example of the above, should the material being supplied to receptacle 1 flow relatively too rapidly the force produced thereby will predominate and the circuit to the motor of receptacle 2 will be closed. This will open the valve of receptacle 2 thereby increasing the supply thereto. This increase will tend to restore the balance of forces between receptacles 1 and 2 and simultaneously destroy the balance between receptacles 2 and 3. This will result in closing the circuit to the motor of receptacle 3 thereby increasing the flow of material thereto until the balance is once more established between the forces of receptacles 2 and 3. And in this manner the balance of forces throughout the system will be restored. Should the flow of the material to receptacle 2 be relatively too great the circuits to receptacles 1 and 3 would be simultaneously closed and the system thereby brought to a balance in a manner analogous to that already described.

liile the arms 21 have been shown as being operated by an excessive flow to one receptacle to close a circuit of another receptacle the arm could obviously, either by swinging it in the opposite direction or re versing the wire connections to the terminals, be made to close the circuit to the motor of the receptacle which is receiving the material in relatively excessive amounts. In such an instance the motor would be connected to the valve in a manner to decrease instead of increase the flow, to establish the balance of forces and the operation of the supply to the other receptacle would not be interfered with.

When the receptacles have been supplied with the desired amounts the valves 46 are closed. The materials in the receptacle 1, 2, and 3 can then be withdrawn by the piping 34 for any use that may be desired. It should here be noted that Figs. 1 and 2 are more or less diagrammatical views and that the terminals with which the arms 21 and 21 engage to close the respective circuits are for convenience shown in the plane of the drawing making it appear as if the arms 21 and 21 swung in this plane whereas in reality these arms swing in a plane normal thereto, the terminals being actually in said normal plane.

It will clearly be seen from the foregoing description of the invention that. while slightly different embodiments are shown in Figs. 1 and 2 they may be employed interchangeably with slight obvious changes in maintaining the weight ratio of supply either to or from the receptacles, and that the invention in its broadest aspect is not confined to the specific instrumentalities set forth, but is intended to include suitable means whereby an apparatus may be devised to permit any reasonable number of materials to be supplied in a predetermined weight ratio from sources placed at any desired reasonable distances apart. And therefore as many widely different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, it is to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself to the specific form of the invention as set forth except as indicated 'in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination witha plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles, comprising supply controls, devices adapted to produce forces, means for operating said devices whereby the forces will respond to the weights of materials in the receptacles, a device adapted to produce a plurality of forces, means for operating said lastmentioned device, means .whereby the said forces are adapted to act so that a force produced by one device will act with a force produced by another device, and means for operating the controls operably responsive to the effect of the forces of the devices.

2. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles, comprising supply controls, devices adapted to produce forces, means for operating said devices whereby the forces will respond to the weights of materials in the receptacles, a device adapted to produce a force, means for operating said last-mentioned device, means whereby the said forces are adapted to act so that a force produced by one device will act with a force produced by another device and the force produced by the last-mentioned device will act with a plurality of the other forces, and means for operating the controls operably responsive to the efiect of the forces of the devices.

3. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles, comprising supply controls, devices adapted to produce forces whereby the force produced by one device will act with the force produced by another device and the force produced by one of the deviceswill act with the forces of a plurality of the other devices, means for operating the devices whereby the forces will respond to the weights of the materials in the receptacles, and means for operating the controls operably responsive to the effect of means whereby the force produced by one device will act with the force produced by another device and the force produced by one of the devices will act with the forces produced by a plurality of the other devices, means for operating the device that pro duces the force which acts with the forces of a plurality of devices, means for operating the other devices whereby the force produced by each of said other devices will respond to the vweight of a material in a receptacle, and means for operating the controls operably responsive to the effect of the forces of the devices.

5. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles, comprising supply controls, a device including a closed container having impelling means, impellable means, and a liquid filling the container operably connecting the impelling means with the impellable means to produce force, means for operating the impelling means whereby the force thereby produced will respond to the weight of the material in one of said receptacles, other devices adapted to produce forces, means for operating the said other devices whereby the forces produced thereby will respond to the respective weights of the materials in the other of said receptacles, means responsive to said forces whereby the force produced by one device is adapted to act with force produced by another device and the fore produced by one of the devices is adapted to act with force produced by a plurality of the other devices, and means for operating the controls operably responsive to the etl'ect of the forces of the devices.

6. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of Weights, the com bination with a plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles, comprising supply controls, devices adapted to produce forces, means for operating the devices whereby the forces will respond. to the weights of the iiniterials in the receptacles, means whereby the force responsive to the weight of material in one receptacle is acapted to act with the force responsive to the weight of material in another recepacle and the plurality of said forces with the force responsive to the weight of the material ot a single receptacle, and means for operating the controls operably responsive to the eil ect of the forces.

7. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for containing materials in the desired ratio of weights, of means for maintaining the supply ratio in said receptacles, comprising supply controls, a device, means for operating the device, other devices, means for operating said other devices whereby their operation will be responsive to weights of materials in said receptacles, one device being adapted to act with another device and the first of said devices being adapted to act with a plurality of the other devices, and means for operating the controls operably responsive to the effect of the devices.

8. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for containing materials in the desired ratio of weights, of means for maintaining the supply ratio in said receptacles, comprising supply controls, a device, means for operating the device, other devices, means for operating said other devices whereby their operations will be responsive to the weights of materials in said receptacles, one device being adapted to act with another device the first of said devices being adapted to act with a plurality of the other devices said device operating means being adapted to balance the devices in their eti'ect when the desired supply ratio is being maintained, and means for operating the controls 0perably responsive to the effect of the cooperating devices whereby when the devices are out oi balance the said controls will operate to restore the balance and desired supply ratio.

In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of Weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles, comprising sup ply controls, devices adapted to produce forces, means for operating said devices whereby the forces will respond to the weights of the materials in the receptacles, means whereby the force responsive to the weight of the material in one receptacle is adapted to act with the force responsive to the weight of the material in another receptacle and the plurality of said forces with the force responsive to the weight of the material of a single receptacle, and means for operating the controls operably responsive to the effect of the forces of the devices.

10. In an apparatus for supplying mate rials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for containing materials in the desired ratio of weights, of means for maintaining the supply ratio in said receptacles, comprising scales for supporting the receptacles, controls for the materials, a device, means for operating the device, other devices, said other devices being in operative engagement *ith the scales whereby they will be operably responsive to weig its of materials in said receptacles, one device being adapted to act with another device the first of said devices being adapted to act with a plurality of the other devices, said operating means for said first mentioned device and said operativeengageinent of the scales with said other devices being adapted to effect a balance in the devices in their effect when the desired ratio is being maintained, and means for operating the controls operably responsive to the effect of the devices whereby when the effect of the devices are out of balance the said controls will operate to restore the balance and desired supply ratio.

11. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of 1( eptacles for containing materials in the desired. ratio of weights, of means for maintaining the supply ratio in said receptacles, comprising scales for supporting the receptacles, supply controls for the receptacles, a device including a closed chamber having rigid end walls and freely collapsible side walls, in operative engagement with one of said scales whereby one of said rigid walls will move relative to the other rigid wall in response to the weight of the material supported by the scale, a closed coiled tubular chamber, a conduit connecting the chambers forming thereby a closed container. and a liquid filling the container whereby the relatively movable rigid wall will impel an end of the coil in response to the weight of the said material to produce a force, other devices adapted to produce forces, said other devices being in operativeengagement with H in) other of the scales whereby they will be operably responsive to the weights of the materials in the receptacles supported there by, means whereby the force produced by one device is adapted to act with the force produced by another device, one of said devices being adapted to produce a plurality of forces, said operative engagement of the scales and devices being adapted to balance the forces in their effect when the desired ratio is being maintained, and means for operating the controls operably responsive to the effect of the forces whereby when the oii'ect of the cooperating forces are out of balance the said controls will operate to restore the balance and the desired supply ratio.

12. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles comprising a supply control, a closed liquid container having an impelling wall and an impellable wall adapted to be impelled by the impelling wall to produce a force, a liquid filling the container operably connecting the two walls, means for operating the impelling wall whereby the force will respond to the weight of material in a receptacle, means adapted to produce a force acting with the force of the impellable wall, means foroperating the force-producing means whereby the force will respond to the weight of material in another receptacle, and means for operating the control operably responsive to the combined effect of the forces.

13. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles comprising a supply control, a device including a closed chamber having an impelling end wall and freely collapsible side walls, a closed coiled tubular chamber having an impellable end wall adapted to be impelled by the impelling wall of the first-mentioned chamber to produce a force, a conduit connecting the chambers forming thereby a closed container, and a liquid filling the container operably conn'ecting the impelling and impellable walls, means for operating the impelling wall whereby the force produced will respond to the weight of material in a receptacle, means adapted to produce a force acting with the force produced by the impellable wall, means for operating the force-producing means whereby the forces will respond to the weight of material in another receptacle, and means for operating the control operably responsive to the combined effect of the forces. Y

14. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles, comprising a supply control, devices, each including a closed chamber having an impelling end wall and freely collapsible side walls, a closed coiled tubular chamber having an impellable end wall adapted to be impelled by the impelling wall to produce a force, a conduit connecting the chambers forming thereby a closed container, and a liquid filling the container operably connecting the impelling and impellable walls, means for operating the impelling walls whereby the forces will respond to the weights of the materials in the receptacles and the force of one device will act with the force of another device, and means for operating the control operably responsive to the combined effect of the forces.

1 5. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for containing materials in the desired ratio of weights, of means for maintaining the supply ratio in said receptacles, comprising a supply control, a device including a closed chamber having an impelling end wall and freely collapsible side walls, a closed coiled tubular chamber having an impellable end wall adapted to be impelled by the impelling wall to produce a force, a conduit connecting the chambers forming thereby a closed container, and a liquid filling the container operably connecting the impelling and impellable Walls, means for operating the device whereby the force will respond to the weight of material in a receptacle, a device adapted to produce a force acting with the force of the impellable wall, means for operating the last-mentioned device whereby the force will respond to the weight of material in another receptacle, said means for operating the devices being adapted to balance the forces when the desired supply ratio is being maintained, and means for operating the control operably responsive to the effect of the forces whereby when the forces are out of balance the said control will operate to restore the balance and desired supply ratio.

16. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for containing materials in the desired ratio of weights, of means for maintaining the supply ratio in said receptacles, comprising scales for supporting the receptacles, a con trol for the material in one of the receptacles, a device including a closed chamber having an impelling end wall and a freely collapsible side wall, a closed coiled tubular chamber having an impellable end wall adapted to be impelled by the said impelling wall to produce a force, a conduit connecting the chambers formingthereby a closed con liU tainer, and a liquid filling the container operably connecting the impelling and impellable walls, another device adapted to produce a force, said impelling Wall and other device being in operative engagement with the scales whereby the forces will be operably responsive to the weights of the materials in the receptacles and one force will act with the other force, said operative engagement of the scales being adapted to balance the forces in their effect when the desired ratio is being maintained, and means for operating the control operably responsive to the effect of the forces whereby when the forces are out of balance the said control will operate to restore the balance and de sired supply ratio.

17. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for containing materials in the desired ratio of weights, of means for maintaining the supply ratio in said receptacles, comprising a supply control, a device including a closed chamber having an impelling end wall and freely collapsible side walls, a closed coiled tubular chamber having an impellable end wall adapted to be impelled by the impelling wall to produce a force, a conduit connecting the chambers forming thereby a closed container, and a liquid filling the con tainer operably connecting the impelling and impellable walls, means for operating the device whereby the force will respond to the weight of material in a receptacle, a device adapted to produce a force to act with the force of the impellable wall, means for operating the last-mentioned device whereby the force will respond to the weight of material in another receptacle, said means for operating the devices being adapted to balance the forces when the desired supply ratio is being maintained, and means for operating the control comprising an electric motor, electric circuit, and a contact maker for closing the circuit operably responsive to the effect of the forces whereby when the cooperating forces are out of balance said control will operate to restore the balance and desired supply ratio.

18. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles, comprising supply controls, devices adapted to produce forces, means for operating said devices whereby the forces will respond to the weights of materials in the receptacles, a device adapted to produce a plurality of forces, means for operating said last-mentioned device, means whereby the said forces are adapted to act whereby a force produced by one device will act with a force produced by another device, and means for operating the controls comprising motors, electric circuits, and. contact makers for closing the circuits operably responsive to the effect of the forces of the devices.

19. In an apparatus for supplying materials in desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for containing materials in the desired ratio of weights, of means for maintaining the supply ratio in said receptacles, comprising scales for supporting the receptacles, a con trol for the material in one of the receptacles, a device adapted to produce a force said device being in operative engagement with a scale whereby the force will be responsive to the weight of the material in the receptacle of the scale, a device including a closed chamber having an impelling end wall and a freely collapsible side wall, a closed coiled tubular chamber having an impellable end wall adapted to be impelled by the said impelling wall to produce a force, a conduit connecting the chambers forming thereby a closed container, and a liquid filling the container operably connecting the impelling and impellable walls, another of said scales having a beam armto which said impelling wall is adjustably secured whereby the force produced will be responsive to the weight of the material in the receptacle of said scale and whereby the wall may be adjusted relative to the arm to balance in degree the force produced by the said other device, means whereby one force is adapted to act with the other force and said operative engagement of the scales is adapted "to balance the forces in their effect when the supply ratio is being maintained, and means for operating the control operably responsive to the effect of the forces whereby when the forces are out of balance said control will operate to restore the balance and desired supply ratio.

20. In an apparatus for supplying materials in a desired ratio of weights, the combination with a plurality of receptacles for the materials, of means for regulating the supply in said receptacles, con'iprising a scale for supporting receptacle, having a beam arm, a supply control for the receptacle, a device including a closed container having impelling means, impellable means, and a liquid filling the container operably connecting the impelling means with the impellable means to produce force, another scale for supporting another receptacle, having a beam arm, a supply control for the receptacle, a device including a closed con tainer having impelling means, impellable means, and a liquid filling the container operably connecting the impelling means with the impellable means to produce force, the impelling means for each of said receptacles being controlled by the. respective scale arms to produce force responsive to the weight of the material in the receptacle and being in llll lllll degree dependent upon their positions upon the scale arms whereby said impellable means may be adjusted to produce balanced forces and the said forces act to balance each other when the supply ratio is being maintained, and means for operating the control operably responsive to the effect of 

